Figure 3.6b. The phases themselves fit together with the terraced schedule which is presented in Chapter 4. The division in phases is such that they have no very clear end or beginnings, but merely flow over in each other and as such many activities are conducted in parallel. The reason for this is to increase the efficiency of the overall program and to maintain the experience that is built up during the several phases. The reasons for the specific durations are explained in the according chapters. The duration of the final stages is explained in the overall schedule in Chapter 4. During all the phases a continuing fund raising and marketing analysis will be conducted. This is required to fulfill the tasks for the Space Solar Power Program. Their peak activities however will lie within the boxes in Figure 3.6a, especially assigned to these activities. This means that during the specific design phases of the demonstrations, the fundraising activities will increase. They are related to the technology and development demonstrations, and are split in two parts as shown in Figure 3.6b. The initial fundraising with the help of a first created proposal will enable pre phase A studies, which are the least expensive parts of a design project. The second part of the fund raising will take place after the initial feedback of the previous demonstration phase. This will give the fund seekers more credibility and a better basis to convince potential funders and to supply the program with funding recourses. This special fundraising will continue during the entire phase of the demonstration. After launch these activities will decrease drastically, although they still have to fund the operation of the spacecraft involved and the evaluation. In the end they will have to continue at a constant level when the large demonstrations begin, culminating in the fully commercial system. The first two phases form the near term demonstration phase where space to space and a space to Earth demonstrations will be present. There will be no commercial viability or business applications in this stage of the project. The funding therefor depends on governmental institutions. The next stage is the phase where a one megawatt demonstration is scheduled. Here the first business application is expected, although there will be no return of investment. In the fourth step a demonstration in the order of 500 megawatt is expected. This will enable a commercial return and the investors will shift from the governmental institutions to industry. Table 3.4 gives the source for funding which is referred to in Figure 3.6a, in the lower left corner of every box. During the fifth stage where the first large solar power station will provide gigawatts, the program will evolve into a commercially feasible one. In the sixth stage there will be mass production and maintenance, controlled by industry and long duration investors. This is explained in more detail in Chapter 10. Table 3.4 Funding Sources for the Space Solar Power Program
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